[Bloated Chipmunk]

Our last trip to the area was cut short due to lack of water, so this time we were better prepared. I was joined by 3 other SSMFs, including nwhikers' very own Bandanabraids. We never met each other while we both still lived in WA, but alas now that we each reside in the San Diego area we managed to hook up. MM & I were to meet Bandanabraids & another SSMF member in Temecula, but the other guy wound up getting lost so decided to hike w/us another time. The 3 of us caravaned to the TH, where we then met up w/the last SSMF member, Ted, who impressed us by managing to get a Prius all the way out there on a fairly rough dirt rd.

3 SSMFs @ the TH for Beauty Pk.

This time the 1st part of the hike went much faster, since we knew exactly where to begin. Not long into the hike, we came across another horned lizard.

Horned lizard

We continued on up the rd., then followed the marked trail up & over a hill, down a little wash, then crossed the big wash w/the dry waterfall on the other side. Temps were rising but thankfully it wasn't as warm as our Part 1 hike.

Ted & MM in one of the washes

Headin' up this dry waterfall

Ted & Bandanabraids headin' up one of the brushier areas of the trail

Bandanabraids & Ted coming up the wash

Upon reaching the saddle, Beauty Pk. came into view.

Beauty Pk. as seen from the saddle

@ the base of the saddle by the earthen dam we took a water/piss break while Ted opted to keep moving on toward the pk. After a few minutes I was ready to continue, & MM & Bandanabraids followed shortly thereafter. At this point the route follows a rd. a short distance uphill, then a lg. duck marks the turnoff point for following the ridge up & over a couple of false summits.

Beauty Pk. on the left

Pods on the yucca

One of the steeper sections

Iron Spring Mtn.

MM & bandanabraids pause for a moment

The summit is still a little ways away

I kept MM & Bandanabraids in sight behind, but it took awhile to see Ted. When the true summit came in view again I looked for him on top, but didn't see anyone. A little bit later I spotted him on the last falsie before the real deal & waved when he turned around.

2 labels

Ted going up the final push to the summit

Smaller hills behind me obscured wherever MM & Bandanabraids were. I made my way up & over the last falsie, then started up the last steep push to the summit where I caught up w/Ted. Soon MM was in sight, quickening his pace as he dropped down off of the last falsie. I shouted out asking where Bandanabraids was, & he said she opted to turn back & wait for us @ the earthen dam where we took our earlier break. We slowly made our way up to the top, w/the crux of the climb being a short but easy mini-gully scramble.

One last scrambly bit

MM & Ted coming up the last scrambly bit

@ long last we were on top, & w/water to spare!

Survey marker

Summit register

Register started in 1986

This guy's in almost all the summit registers

View SE to Hot Springs Mtn.

Iron Spring Mtn.

Palomar Mtn.

Distant Cuyamaca Pk.

Cahuilla Mtn.

Whoops, MM not ready yet...

3 SSMFs on top of Beauty Pk.!

San Jacinto Pk. in the distance

View westish

We took a snack break, enjoying the rest & views for a bit. Then Ted started down as MM & I finished up. We would catch up to him on the rd. section just before the earthen dam. Once @ the dam, I saw a note left by Bandanabraids that she was heading back to the trailhead since she was running low on water. The 3 of us took another quick break here, then steadily made our way up down, up down etc. back to the trailhead, where we saw another note from Bandanabraids letting us know of her safe arrival. Fun, challenging hike! It's a hard 6 mi. RT w/all the ups & downs & sun exposure, etc. We got a good workout! Great views, & once again no other peeps on the trail.

[Bandanabraids]

That was a great hike even if I didn't get to the peak Great TR!